Welcome to Open Door Community Acupuncture!
Please take a minute to read this introduction to our clinic and to our community. We are
delighted that you are interested in joining us!
What is different about the ODCA clinic?
• We treat in a community setting
• We have a sliding scale
Most US acupuncturists treat patients on
tables in individual cubicles. This is not
traditional in Asia, where acupuncture
usually occurs in a community setting. In
our clinic we primarily use recliners in a
large, quiet, soothing space. Treating
patients in a community setting has many
benefits. It’s easy for friends and family
members to come in for treatment together;
many patients find it comforting; and a
collective
energetic
field
becomes
established which actually makes individual
treatments more powerful. In some styles of
acupuncture, the needles are removed after
only a few minutes or after a half hour at
most. The style of acupuncture we practice
at ODCA allows patients to keep their
needles in as long as they want, and the
“right” amount of time varies from patient to
patient. Most people learn after a few
treatments when they feel “done”; this can
take from twenty minutes to a couple of
hours! Many people fall asleep, and wake
feeling refreshed.
Most US acupuncturists also see only one
patient per hour and charge $65 to $175 per
treatment. They tend to spend a long time
talking with each patient, going over
medical records, asking many questions.
We don’t. The only way that we at ODCA
can make acupuncture affordable and still
make a living ourselves is to streamline our
treatments and see multiple patients in an
hour, so we have streamlined our approach;
we have a thorough intake form and we use
pulse diagnosis to decide how to treat you.
This is exactly how acupuncture is practiced
traditionally in Asia -- many patients per
hour and very little talking. Please see the
enclosed form that explains our sliding scale
($15 - 45, pay what you want). Because we
have a sliding scale, we cannot do
insurance billing (that’s the insurance
companies’ rule). If you have insurance that
covers acupuncture, we’ll be happy to give
you a payment receipt, and you can submit
it; that’s OK with the insurance companies.
Our Commitment to You
We want to make it possible for you to receive acupuncture regularly enough and long enough
to get well and stay well. We want our community to be welcoming to all different kinds of
people. We want to give you the tools to take care of your own health so that you will not need
to rely on corporations like Big Insurance or Big Pharmaceuticals for costly, high-tech
interventions. We will provide a safe environment with skilled practitioners.
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What We Need From You
• Responsibility
ODCA does not provide Western medicine! Acupuncture and Western medicine complement
each other wonderfully, but neither is a substitute for the other. If you think you have a problem
that is not “garden variety” (meaning, you are worried that you might have a serious infection, a
malignant growth, or an injury that won’t heal), or if you want your medical history from a
Western medical perspective, you need to see an appropriate provider (ND, MD, or DO). We
can provide referrals. But you cannot expect us to diagnose something really serious. We can
provide complimentary care for conditions that require a doctor’s attention -- for instance, we
often treat patients for the side effects of chemotherapy. But we need you to take responsibility
for your own health.
ODCA does not receive grants, state or federal money, or insurance reimbursement. ODCA
exists because patients pay for their treatments – it a sustainable community business model.
• Flexibility
The community setting requires some flexibility from you. For instance, many patients have a
favorite recliner. When we are busy, someone may be sitting in yours. Similarly, we have a few
patients who snore. Other patients who dislike snoring bring earplugs to their treatments. We
are grateful for this! Some of our patients even bring favorite pillows or blankets from home
with them, because they prefer theirs to ours. That’s fine with us. Basically, we need you to
participate in making yourself comfortable in the community room before we arrive to treat
you.
In terms of how long you want to stay -- tell us, when you check in, if you need to be unpinned
at a certain time. In general, if you feel done, open your eyes and give us a meaningful look -- if
your eyes are closed, we think you’re asleep and we won’t wake you up.
• Community-Mindedness
The soothing atmosphere in our clinic exists because all of our patients create it by relaxing
together. We appreciate everyone’s presence! This kind of collective stillness is a rare and
precious thing in our rushed and busy society. Maintaining this reservoir of calm requires that
no one talk very much in the clinic space. If you would like to speak to a practitioner one-onone at any length, please let us know. If you want to have a substantial conversation, we will
probably need to schedule that separately by phone. If you have questions about acupuncture
and how it works, please ask at the desk. Unfortunately, we can’t explain what every point
does, or how acupuncture works, while we are treating you -- these are very large topics!
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Part of our success is that our patients learn the “routine” and take on a lot of responsibility for
the appointments. Re-scheduling and making payment happens at the front desk BEFORE each
treatment, so you can relax and enjoy treatment. Please take all personal belongings, (bags,
shoes, etc.) with you back into the treatment room. And of course, please turn off your cell
phone.
• Commitment
Acupuncture is a PROCESS. It is very rare for any acupuncturist to be able to resolve a problem
with one treatment. In China, a typical treatment protocol for a chronic condition could be
acupuncture four times a week for a month! Most of our patients don’t need that much
acupuncture, but virtually every patient requires a course of treatment, rather than a single
treatment, in order to get what they want from acupuncture.
One big reason that we are able to keep our prices so low is because of the extraordinary
amount of marketing our patients do on our behalf -- we don’t have to advertise. We cannot
express how grateful we are for this. Our patients are such effective marketers because they
have first-hand experience of how well acupuncture works. All of our satisfied patients basically
made a commitment to a course of treatment.
On your first visit, we will suggest a course of treatment, which can be anything from “we’d like
to see you once a week for six weeks” to “we’d really like to see you every day for the next four
days.” This suggestion is based on our experience with treating different kinds of conditions. If
you don’t come in often enough or long enough, acupuncture probably won’t work for you.
The purpose of our sliding scale is to help you make that commitment. If you have questions
about how long it will take to see results, please ask us, or if you think you need to adjust your
treatment plan, please let us know. We need you to commit to the process of treatment in order
to get good results.
And, last, but not least….enjoy the space. We do, and hope that Open Door Community
Acupuncture can be an important part of your community.
Thank you,
Open Door Community Acupuncture Staff
www.opendooracupuncture.com
941.284.4815
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WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?
Acupuncture works by balancing the body. It doesn’t matter how young or how old you
are—it’s good for all ages. Since many problems are the result of a qi imbalance,
acupuncture can help a vast range of conditions. Here's a very short list!
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Acid Reflux
Acne
Addiction
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Back Pain
Bell’s Palsy
Carpal Tunnel
Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chronic Pain
Cold & Flu
Constipation
Depression
Detox
Diarrhea
Digestion
Energy
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Heart Health
Hemorrhoids
High Blood Pressure
Immune Support
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www.opendooracupuncture.com
Injury
Insomnia
Knee Pain
Liver Health
Low Blood Pressure
Migraines
Nausea
Neck Pain
Numbness
Performance
Pre- and Post-Surgery
Prostatitis
Quit Smoking
Radiation Therapy Side Effects
Sexual Health
Shoulder Pain
Shingles
Stress
Stroke
Tingling
TMJ
Tune-ups
Urination Issues
And much more...
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SLIDING SCALE
Open Door Community Acupuncture provides high quality acupuncture treatment at
affordable rates in a supportive community setting. The acupuncture we practice uses
mostly “distal” points in the hands, feet and head to treat problems anywhere in the
body – meaning we will probably treat pain in your back by placing tiny needles in your
hands. Research in the United States (as well as thousands of years of tradition in Asia)
has shown that acupuncture is most effective when it is done frequently and regularly –
once a week is usually the minimum required to make progress on any kind of health
problem.
The purpose of our sliding scale is to separate the issues of money and treatment; we
want you to come in often enough to really get well and stay well!
The table below contains suggested guidelines for what you might pay depending on
your income; HOWEVER, we understand that everyone’s situation is different, and our
primary goal is to make acupuncture available to you as often as you need it. No
questions asked!
Please note that if you cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice, there
will be a $20 charge.
We accept cash or check.
Income
Under $20,000
$20,000-$25,000
$25,000-$30,000
$30,000-$50,000
$50,000 and up
1st Appointment Paperwork
Fee
$10
$10
$10
$10
$10
www.opendooracupuncture.com
Acupuncture
Treatments
$15
$20
$25
$35
$45
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FINANCIAL POLICY
Open Door Community Acupuncture makes alternative health care (as acupuncture and
Chinese medicine) available to as many people as possible, at the most affordable rates.
We love to treat you, and everyone else who walks through our doors. If it’s not possible
for you to make your appointment, please give us 24 hours’ notice. All appointments
that are cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged a $20
fee. If appointments have been purchased in a package, the missed one will be deducted
from the remaining number.
Thank you for your understanding!
CONSENT FOR TREATMENT
Acupuncture and its associated modalities (tui na massage, electro-acupuncture, acupressure,
manual therapy, cupping, gua ssa) are very safe and highly effective.
Potential benefits: Drugless relief of presenting symptoms and improved balance of
body energies that can lead to prevention, improvement or elimination of the
presenting problem.
Occasionally there are side effects. These don’t happen often!
Potential risks: Discomfort, pain, bruising, blistering, bleeding, temporary discoloration
of the skin, possible aggravation of symptoms existing prior to the acupuncture
treatment.
Patients with bleeding disorders, pacemakers or breast augmentation should inform the
practitioner prior to receiving treatment.
With this knowledge, I voluntarily consent to acupuncture and associated modalities, realizing
that no guarantees have been given to me by Open Door Community Acupuncture regarding
cure or improvement of my condition. I hereby release Open Door Community Acupuncture
from any and all liability, which may occur in connection with the above-mentioned
procedures. I understand I am free to withdraw this consent and discontinue participation at any
time.
www.opendooracupuncture.com
941.284.4815
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